Chapter 299: The Game with Cai Meier

"Like last time?" Cai Meier finally couldn't resist the temptation.

After all, in her mind, Qian Ran wouldn't dare go too far.

"That won't do. It's not enough," Qian Ran said with a wicked smile. The thrill of gradually pulling Cai Meier into his web gave him a special kind of excitement.

If he pushed too hard all at once, Cai Meier would certainly refuse, and that would end the negotiation. But now, by making slightly excessive yet not outright outrageous requests, Qian Ran had her caught in indecision. If she rejected him outright, she would lose the chance to ascend to the pinnacle of strength. Yet if she gave in too easily, she felt a pang of guilt.

Qian Ran wasn't in a hurry. He lounged leisurely on the sofa, waiting for Cai Meier's final decision.

He acknowledged Cai Meier's formidable strength, but in moments like this, strength wasn't the key to gaining the upper hand in their game.

Many people, when faced with women who were more powerful or higher in status than themselves, instinctively assumed a subordinate position. Qian Ran, however, was different. A skilled predator dares to challenge even the fiercest prey.

When dealing with a strong, successful woman like Cai Meier, Qian Ran naturally wouldn't clash with her in areas where she held the advantage. Instead, he pinpointed her vulnerabilities and used his own strengths to make her gradually lower her proud head.

Exploiting Cai Meier's weaknesses with his own assets—that was the strategy of a master.

"Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared," Qian Ran said smoothly.

"If you don't make a decision soon, I might lose my patience. I don't lack women around me. But you? Things are different for you. Don't blame me later if Xian Liner's strength surpasses yours—I did give you a chance," Qian Ran said, casually biting into an apple.

If Cai Meier had no desires, he would treat her as the deputy dean of Shrek Academy. But since she needed something from him, in his eyes, she was now just an ordinary woman.

His words deepened Cai Meier's internal struggle.

Xian Liner was now with Qian Ran, and her strength was bound to grow rapidly. Meanwhile, Cai Meier would have to stagnate for at least another ten years before there was even a chance of breaking through to the next level.

For a Hyper Douluo, each level of advancement often took decades—or even a lifetime if one's potential was exhausted.

Cai Meier felt that even if she cultivated to her limits, she might only reach Level 97. With a stroke of luck, she could perhaps touch Level 98. As for becoming an Ultimate Douluo, it was utterly impossible with her current state.

Her only hope now lay in Qian Ran.

She had initially thought that Xian Liner being with Qian Ran was merely Qian Ran taking advantage of her. However, after interacting with him over the past few days, she realized that wasn't the case. A freak like Qian Ran defied all conventional understanding.

In thousands of years, the entire continent had only produced one Qian Ran.

Seeing that Cai Meier was close to making up her mind, Qian Ran casually took out a set of clothing from his storage soul tool. This simple act seemed to push Cai Meier over the edge.

Taking the clothes Qian Ran handed her, Cai Meier went straight to the bathroom. She left her long skirt and stockings on the nearby bench, and the sound of running water soon came from within. White steam escaped from the slightly ajar door.

Watching Cai Meier surrender so quickly, Qian Ran's lips curled into a sly smile.

As long as Cai Meier took this first step, she would become a fish caught in his net. By the time she wanted to leave, it would already be too late.

"Let me savor this beauty on behalf of Yan Shaozhe," Qian Ran thought to himself with a hint of amusement.

"Someone like Yan Shaozhe is fit to eat coarse grains at best. How could he ever appreciate the taste of fine delicacies?"

Qian Ran licked his lips, anticipation rising within him. Just knowing that Cai Meier was bathing in the bathroom on the other side of the wall made his heart race with excitement.

He wouldn't let either of Shrek Academy's mature flowers slip through his fingers.

As for Yan Shaozhe... Qian Ran dismissed him entirely.

Yan Shaozhe might be pitiful, but Qian Ran wasn't the compassionate type. His kindness only surfaced once he was content. While pursuing happiness and pleasure, he had no time to worry about others' feelings.

Happiness and pleasure were finite resources—if Qian Ran was happy, someone else had to be upset. It was a simple balance.

"I... I'm done," came a soft voice.

Finally, the sound of running water subsided, and Cai Meier emerged from the bathroom.

Her face flushed deeply as she glanced uneasily at Qian Ran. Even now, Cai Meier couldn't fully suppress the embarrassment burning on her face.

Fresh from her bath, Cai Meier hadn't wrapped herself in a towel but wore a revealing black bikini instead. While she had already looked stunning in her tight-fitting suit earlier, the sight of her now left Qian Ran speechless.

Large expanses of snow-white skin were exposed, the bikini covering only the essential parts, creating a tantalizing contrast. Cai Meier's voluptuous figure was now on full display, leaving no room for imagination.

Her full, rounded thighs were encased in glossy black stockings, the fabric pressed into her soft flesh at the edges, forming enticing indentations. Even a glance could evoke the sensation of the silky, elastic texture.

On her dainty feet, she wore a pair of transparent high heels, enhancing her already tall and elegant stature. Beads of water still clung to her snow-white skin, reflecting a luminous sheen that made her appear even more seductive.

Faced with such a beguiling vision, no normal man could possibly remain unaffected.

Cai Meier, feeling self-conscious under Qian Ran's gaze, instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. Yet this action only emphasized her curvaceous figure even more.

"What do you want to do next?" she asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

At this moment, Cai Meier wished Qian Ran would simply act—whatever he intended to do. Even if he kissed her now, she wouldn't resist. What truly unsettled her was his silent, lingering stare.

Such a reaction was normal; most people disliked being stared at for too long. And for someone in Cai Meier's current vulnerable state, it was even more uncomfortable.

"Turn around and let me see," Qian Ran said, reading her thoughts. Yet, instead of acting hastily, he deliberately slowed things down.

Blushing even more, Cai Meier turned in place, fully revealing her voluptuous figure to the young man's gaze.

At this moment, shame washed over her. A desire to escape welled up in her heart, and she regretted her decision. But having come this far, withdrawing would mean losing everything. In the end, Qian Ran would benefit while she gained nothing.

This realization left her more conflicted than ever.

(Chapter ends)